Disclaimer: I don't know none of the SAO characters except for my OCs.

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The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Both Soul and Kirito had met up at a local tavern and they both met a guild group called "The Moonlit Black Cat". They both saw some of the players from the first floor level but they both just realize that they were visit for celebration. Soul looked at Kirito for a moment because he didn't like to keep his missions waiting for long since Kirito had left him to fend on his own but he knew that he wasn't going to let Kirito get kill out there so he always finds Kirito. When they both sat down, the waitress had handed them both drinks that was purchase by the players. The member of the group was a guy named Ducker and he was looking at both Soul and Kirito.

"Here to us, the Moonlit Black Cats! Cheers everyone!" said Ducker.

Everyone hold up their drinks and shouted "cheers" as they all started to drink like crazy while Soul just smile at them. Then Ducker was looking both Soul and Kirito because they both had save their lives and he knew that it was their help that his team had live to see another day. He raise his glass once again while both Kirito and Soul was looking at him and they both were confuse for a moment.

"I got another one. Here to the guys who saved our lives! To Kirito and Soul!" said Ducker.

"To Kirito and Soul!"

"Uh... Cheers, guys..." said Kirito.

Soul started laughing for his life because he knew that it was going to be good to have people to see around the tavern that had live through the fight. Then they all started to gather around them and they started to give them their thanks for saving all of them.

"Thanks." said Keita

"thank you." said Sasamaru

"You two saved us back there." said Ducker.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." said Sachi

Kirito just smile while he rubbed the back of his head and he knew that he was getting ready to blush from all the praise. Soul just shook his head because he was laughing at his best friend then kirito kicked him in the leg. Soul looked at Kirito for a moment while he was rubbing his leg. Sachi was looking at soul for a moment.

"Oh, it's cool." said Kirito.

"Yeah, you guys would probably done the same thing if the tables were turned." said Soul.

Soul thumped Kirito on the head to get back at him from kicking him in the leg. They both looked at each other because they were about to go at it. Both soul and kirito just smile at each other. Keita looked the both of them and he was curious about the both of them. He walked up to the both of them.

"Uh, Kirito, sir. Soul, sir. I hope I'm not out of line asking this, but I was wondering what level you both are at?" Keita asked.

"I'm level twenty." said Soul.

"And I am level twenty." said Kirito.

"Really? You both are at our level and still a solo players. You both are an inspiration, sir!" said keita.

"Keita, we're not your superior. And being solo means I'm always hunting enemies out in the boonies. It's not very efficient." said Kirito.

Soul just shook his head because he was out shine by Kirito and he was looking at Sachi for a moment which the poor girl started to blushed. Soul was smiling at the girl and he turn his head to see that Keita was trying to kiss up to Kirito. He knew that this just too crazy for him and he got up for a moment.

"Oh... right. Well, in that case, I hate to spring this on you here, but... if you guys want, we'd love to have you two in our guild. Our mace wielder, Tetsuo, is only one we can put out front right now. And then we've got Sachi over here. I was thinking of having her switch to sword-and-shield. That way, she can fight on the front lines. The thing is, she says she's not sure she could handle it. If you two join us, maybe you could teach her a thing or two." said ketia.

Soul thought about the idea for a moment because he never considered himself as a teacher before. Then Sachi looked at Ketia for a moment and she started to pout.

"Oh, come on! I'm not that useless." said Sachi.

"Um..." said Ketia.

"Seriously, you can't just put me up front and expect me to know what to do, I'd be terrified." Sachi stated.

Soul just looked at Sachi for a moment and he knew that the poor girl is scare for her life. She knew that she couldn't making in the game for long which he had an idea about something. Then Tetuso started laughing at the both of them and he knew that Keita was right about one thing about Sachi and she knew was weak in the group.

"It's no big deal, just hide behind the shield." said Tetsuo.

"We always joke around like that. See, in real life, we all get to the same high school and are members of the computer club. But if you two worry about fitting in with us, don't. As far as I'm concerned, you two are already part of our group, right?" said Ketia

Everyone started nodding their heads to both Kirito and Soul which Soul just looked at Kirito for a moment and he knew that they both had been working together so far. Soul was thinking about his career as a game salesmen and he knew that could always change it anytime he wanted. Sachi had her arms folded and she was looking at her two best friends that had been teasing her.

"Well... I'm really flattered. And thanks for the offer." said Kirito, he looked at everyone that was begging him and Soul to join their group. "I'll do it."

"And so will I." said Soul

"Welcome to the team, Kirito and Soul." they all said.

They all started to have fun while Soul was looking out the window at the night sky for a moment and he knew that this was going to be something different for him and Kirito is going to be in for tomorrow. He looked over at Kirito and Sachi which they both were trying to think up a way for them to teach her to be like them when she had to fight. She knew that she was going to need all the help that she was going to get with both him and Kirito. Soul started to stretching his arms for a moment because he was getting tired. He got up and heading up to one of the rooms that he was staying in to get some rest for tomorrows battle with their new team. The next morning, the team started to battling some monsters from one of the floor levels and Sachi was scare out of her mind she saw the monsters heading straight for her, but both Soul and Kirito both jump in to save her which they both started to execute sword combos to take them out.

"Sachi, get back! I got this! Come on, Tetsuo! Switch out!" Kirito ordered.

"Got it! All right." said Tetsuo.

Tetsuo switch out for Keita and he started to attack the monsters. They were all able to defeat the monster which they all started to celebrate like crazy and Soul started laugh at them while Kirito was help Sachi up on her feet. Soul looked at his inventory for a moment to see that he had everything that he needed. He looked at them all because they were looking to see the assault team who had made it to the twenty-eighth floor of the game. Keita went over to both Kirito and Sachi for a moment to tell them the good news.

"The Assault Team made it through to floor twenty-eight. That's amazing! Hey, Kirito. What the heck does the Assault Team have that we don't?" Keita asked.

"Well, access to information? With that, they can find out the easiest ways to get EXP, and they don't share that info." said Kirito.

"Yeah, you're probably right. But I think what really sets them apart is willpower." said Ketia.

"What do you mean?" Kirito asked.

"I guess what I mean is they have the will to stick out for their friends, or any player for that matter. The truth is, I'd like to think we have the same kind of drive, even though we still need a protection. That said our first priority is looking out for each other. But someday, if we get strong enough, we'll join the elites in the Assault Team." said Ketia.

"It's a good goal." said kirito.

"I don't know, I guess..." said keita.

Soul and the others had return from scouting head. Kirito was looking at Soul for a moment which he nodded and he teleported out for some rest. The others was looking around to see that Soul had teleported out and they were worry that Soul was acting strange. Kirito knew that they both were going to talk about something.

"Hey, leader! Give me some luck! Hey come on!" Ducker shouted.

Ducker but Keita in the head lock. Keita was struggling to break free from the hold.

"So, you really think we can be as strong as the Holy Dragon Alliance or the Knight of the Blood Oath?" said Tetsuo.

"Yeah, what if I do? Nothing wrong with setting our sights high. But we have to be level thirty first." said Keita.

"That's impossible." said Sachi.

"I like the way Keita thinks. If the Black Cats can level up fast and get to the front lines, his ideals could change the elitist attitude of the Assault Team." said Kirito.

Everyone started to teleported back to the inn for them to celebrate and kirito saw that Soul had arrive to the inn. They were looking at the him for a moment and he told them that he was checking on something.

"I have an announce to make. After our latest hunt in the field, we've got 200,000 col!" said Keita.

"Wow!" they all said.

"Buying a house of our own doesn't seem like such a pipe dream anymore." said Tetsuo.

"I know, we should upgrade Sachi's equipment." said Sasamaru.

"Good idea!" said Keita.

"Uh-uh. I'm fine with what I have." said Sachi.

She took a sip of her drink and she was still nervous from the last battle. Soul just order his drink and he walked over to the other.

"Oh, come on! You know, it's not fair to make Kirito be out in front forever." said Ducker.

"I'm sorry." said Sachi.

She hung her head in shame.

"Don't worry about me. I'm cool with it." said Kirito.

"Trust me this guy live for a fight." said Soul.

"Thanks Kirito. Sachi, I know switching jobs isn't as easy, but seriously you're almost there. You can do it! I know it!" said Keita.

Sachi just smile and she felt better which Soul open his menu. He scroll through and he found something that he to give to Sachi. It was powerful Staff called "Star Fang" that he max out during his travels. He clicked on Sachi's name and he click give away. Sachi looked at the notification appeared in front of her. Sachi was looking at the notification and she open it up to see what was it is. Then the weapon appeared into her hands which everyone was shocked to she has new weapon.

"What is that, Sachi?" Ducker asked.

"It's called Star Fang. I found a meteor rite on one of the floor levels when I was by myself. I use blacksmith skills to create a weapon out of it." said Soul.

Sachi just blushed for a moment. And she equip it to her gear which Soul was getting weird look from Kirito because he just gave away one his rare items. Then they both started to leave to the room and they were heading outside and they both saw klein and his team fighting some type of wolf. Klein was dressed like a samurai and he slice up wolf to pieces.

"Klein..." said Kirito.

"Phew... What's up, Soul! Kirito! The trash mobs' all yours, guys!" said Klein.

"Sure!"

"Man, it's been a while since I've seen you. What? You doing some late night leveling or something?" said Klein, he noticed something on their names. "What's up with that icon? Did you join a guild?"

Both Kirito and Soul rubbed the back of their heads and just chuckle.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that." said Kirito.

"It's all clear! We can move on!"

Klein nodded his head to his teammates and he was looking at both Soul and Kirito. Kirito started to leave and he. have other things to do. He still have that thought in his head and he doesn't want the team to find out while Soul was telling Klein about his journeys.

"See ya." said Kirito.

"Yeah... Oh, come on. Is it still bugging you?" Klein asked.

Soul was telling everything that had happened with him. Klein just put his hand on his chin to think about it. Kirito was in his room and he was resting, but there was knock on the door.

"It's Keita. Sachi went off somewhere and hasn't come back yet. We're heading to the dungeon now. Please let me know if you find anything out." said Keita.

Kirito went out to find Sachi and he was looking high and low for her. He knew that he had to call out to her.

"Sachi..." Kirito called out.

There was no answer.

"Sachi!" Kirito yelled out.

Soul saw Kirito and he ran up to him because he thought that the others were in trouble. Kirito told him what he was doing and Soul was helping him with search. Then Soul spotted Sachi underneath the bridge and he told kirito that she was under the bridge which Kirito looked down and he saw her.

"Hey, Soul, I'll take it from here." said Kirito.

Soul nodded his head and he started to head back to the inn. Kirito walked down stairs to meet Sachi. Sachi had a lot on her mind and she felt that someone was here with her.

"Kirito..." said Sachi.

"Everyone's worried about you." said Kirito.

Then they both sat there in silence and Sachi was looking at Kirito for a moment.

"Hey, Kirito." said Sachi.

"Yeah." said Kirito.

"We should run away." said Sachi.

"Run away... from what?" Kirito asked.

"From this town. From the monsters. From the Moonlit Black Cats. And from Sword Art Online, too." said Sachi.

"Ah, are you talking about suicide?" Kirito asked.

"That's not such a bad idea. Sorry, no. If I had guts to die, I wouldn't be hiding in the town where it's safe, would I.? But really, why can't we just leave?" said Sachi. "Why do we have to die, when it's just a stupid game. What's the point of going through this?"

Soul was listening in on the whole conversation and he could hear in Sachi's tone of voice. He could tell that she was scare and He just sigh at this. Then he walked away because he was trying to think up a plan for Sachi. When a thought had came to him. he summoned up his menu and he have an icon that label guild which he clicked on it for a moment. He started to type something in message and the letter was for Sachi.

"Yeah, there is no point. I guess." said Kirito.

"I... I'm so afraid of dying in here." Sachi told him

"It's really that bad for you, huh?" Kirito questioned.

Sachi was getting ready to cry her eyes out for a moment because of her fear. Then she hugged Kirito for a moment and she was crying on his outfit. Kirito was just looking at her and he knew that she was shaking in fear. He just place his hand on her shoulder to tried to calm her down.

"I'm so scared. I haven't been able to get any sleep lately." Sachi said.

Kirito just feel bad for her and he knew that he wasn't getting any sleep as well, but he knew that this game needs to be beaten in order them to go back to the real world. He put his hand on her head to rub which she was looking at him with a confuse look on her face.

"You're not going to die?" Kirito questioned.

Sachi nodded her head. Then he place his hands on her shoulder for a moment.

"Listening to me, Sachi. You are not going to die.' said Kirito.

"Really? How can you be so sure about that?" Sachi questioned.

"The Black Cats are strong enough as a guild. Besides, our margin of safety is well above the norm. Plus, you've got Tetsuo and me up front. So, there is no reason to be on the front line with us." Kirito mentioned.

Sachi just looked him for am moment and she knew that Kirito was acting like a brother to her. Kirito was trying to cheer her up and he don't want her to think about doing suicide.

"You honestly don't think I'll die? Will I make it back to the real world?" Sachi questioned.

"Yeah. You're not going to die. You'll see. We'll clear this game and go home soon." said Kirito.

They both started to head inside to get some sleep and after of today, Sachi needed it the most. Kirito was sleeping in his room for a moment and he woke up for a moment because he was something on his mind. Then he lost his train of thought when he heard a knock at his room door.

"Come in!" said Kirito.

"I'm sorry. I can't seem to get to sleep." said Sachi.

Kirito knew that this is something that he had no choice on doing. He let her come into his room and she shut the door behind her. Then she lay in bed with Kirito which he was looking at the ceiling for a moment. He was still thinking about what they had talked earlier made him realize.

"If I stay in this guild, she'll be safe. And we'll all make it back to the real world someday. There must be a lot of players like her, who're afraid of dying in here. But still, they laugh, and cry, and try to live as best they can. I've never thought about it like that before." Kirito thought.

Then Sachi turned over to face Kirito for a moment.

"Kirito?" Sachi questioned.

Kirito turned his head to her and he was looking at him for a moment. He knew that she was getting to say something, but he stopped her.

"It's okay. I promise you're going to survive." said Kirito

"Mmhmm." said Sachi

Then she started to go to sleep and Kirito just looked at the ceiling to continue his thinking

"And no matter what, I promise I'll protect all of you." Kirito thought


"Okay, I'm heading out. Teleport: Town of Beginnings." Keita ordered.

He started to teleported out to the Town of Beginnings while everyone else was gathering their stuff to move out. Soul was getting excited because he was helping this guild with Kirito. He looked over to see that Kirito was helping Sachi.

"Can you believe it? I never thought buying a house would so exciting!" said Sasamaru.

"Dude, you sound like an old man!" Ducker told him.

Soul looked over at them and he just shook his head at them because he knew that they were acting like kids. Then he knew that this was going to be good to be on a team with them. Tetsuo just had a great for all of them to do.

"Hey, while Keita's off buying the house, what do guys say go and raise some extra cash?" Tetsuo suggested.

"Oh, then we can buy furniture." Sachi mentioned.

Soul started to help her with her weapons selection for her to use for the next fight. Sachi was looking at him for a moment and she knew that both him and Kirito were a big help to her and her guild. They were going to be great friends.

"Come on, let's go to a dungeon on a higher floor!" said Ducker

"We should stick to our usual hunting spots." Kirito inquired.

Soul was looking up at the higher level dungeons. He knew that they were not ready for that dungeon. Kirito at Soul for some assist in which Soul just shrugged to him because he was out of ideas himself. Both Sasamaru and Ducker knew that they new challenges and experiences to help them level up faster.

"But up there, we can make more and faster." Sasamaru insisted.

"Yeah, at our levels, we don't have anything to worry about." Ducker said.

Sachi just smile at them and she looked at both Soul and Kirito for a moment. The Soul and Kirito was trying their best to keep the guild on their normal hunting grounds, but they both knew that Ducker and Sasamaru would probably would have sneak off to ahead higher dungeon level with them. They all started to see that Keita arrived because he got their messages about meeting with them . They all some monsters appeared out of nowhere and everyone had drew their weapons. The monsters started to charge at them which they all had done the same thing. They all started to work together as a team. Soul and Sasamaru was talking out some of them while Tetsuo and Ducker took out some more monsters. Kieta, Sachi and Kirito took out the rest. Soul leveled up to level twenty and he started to stretched his arms.

"Hey, you just level up to our level." Sasamaru said.

"Yup. I just glad that we took down these monsters." said Soul.

Kirito looked over at Kieta for a moment and he knew that there was something that he need to tell them. Soul walked over to him and he saw that there was something that was bothering him. By the time that they had got back to the hideout, Kirito and Soul started to take a walk. Soul had hands behind his head and he looked at Kirito for a moment. Kirito started to sigh real quick and he turned his head to his best friend.

"So, I need your advice on something." Kirito said.

"Shoot. I help the best way that I can." Soul said.

Kirito was telling Soul what had been on his mind lately about him and the guild. Soul just nodded his head to the whole detail and he was trying to think of something to help his best friend out. When Kirito was done, he looked at Soul for a moment which he saw that Soul was still thinking but he saw that Kieta standing behind Soul.

"Well, I best advice is that you wait for the time being just for you to find the right time to tell that we're beta players." Soul told him.

He was looking at Kirito for a moment and he had a confuse look on his back. He turned around to see that Kieta was here and he palmed his forehead to realize at what he just had said about him and Kirito. Kieta was furious at the both of them and he started to walk towards them.

"You two are Beaters? All this time you two knew that some of the dungeons were dangerous and you two put us in a less dangerous. You two don't deserve to be one of us!" Kieta yelled.

He looked at the sky for a moment and he looked down at endless sea. He got up on the ledge of the bridge that they were standing on. He gave both Soul and Kirito one last look before he jumped from the bridge. Soul ran over to see that Kieta had just made suicide. Kirito fell to his knees and he started to cry. Soul just slammed his fist to the bridge because he just cost the life of Kieta. He looked over at Kirito which he got up and he knew that the Moonlight Cat was gong to need a leader to lead them.

"What are you going to do about the others because they might want to know what happened to Kieta." Soul informed Kirito.

"I know and I am going to be the one to tell them about what happened." Kirito said.

Soul nodded his head and they both started to head back to informed the others. Soul saw that the others were sitting around to see that Kieta didn't came back with them. Kirito told them all what had happened to Kieta and everyone was shocked to hear everything that had happened to their leader and friend. Soul was sitting outside of the door and he knew that they were going to need a new leader to lead their guild. Then Kirito knew that he was going to be the next best choice to lead the guild.

"Kieta didn't want you all to mope around. He want you all to continue the fight without him." Kirito said.

"But we don't have leader to lead us." Sachi mentioned.

"Then I'll lead you. Once we beat this game we can all go on living in the real world." Kirito said.

The members of Moonlight Cat started to cheer and they knew that Kirito was going to be the other to lead the team. They all started to head to the front lines to help out the other guilds. Ducker was trying to think of a faster way to get to the front lines. Then he saw something across the distinct which it was treasure box and he knew that it could money. Soul looked around to find him and he knew that something wasn't right about that room. Everyone meet up with both Soul and Ducker which Kirito saw the room and he knew that room was a trap.

"Ducker! Don't touch that it's a trap!" Kirito yelled out.

Ducker didn't hear him and he picked up the treasure box and the room started to turned red. Then humanoid lizards started appeared out of nowhere and everyone drew their weapons. Kirito and Soul knew that the Moonlight Cats was out match. The creature started to take a step towards them which Tetsuo started to get the first strike. One of the lizards struck him down and his health hit zero quick. Ducker started to get scare and he started to attack the lizard. He ended up like that Tetsuo which Kirito and soul was holding their own against the monster. Sachi and Sasamaru were the only two that was left which both Soul and Kirito was pull off their combo. Sasamaru didn't see the lizards monster had come behind which stabbed him without him looking.

"SASAMARU!" Soul yelled.

Sachi knew that it was time for her to be brave because she knew that her life hang in balance and she took down some of the monster. Soul was use his long his katana to cut some of the monster in half. Lizard monster attack and kirito looked at her for a moment. She mouth of something. Then she vanished with out a trace and kirito and Soul were the only ones left. They both knew that need to get out of there with their life and they use their combo to take all of the Lizard out.

"We both didn't know that they planted a trap." Soul said.

They both started to had to tavern and Kirito just lay in his bed. He saw something that had his name on it and he saw that it was sachi for beyond the grave. Soul leave to because he knew that Kirito need some alone time. Kirito listen to the message and he had tears in his eyes and Sachi was humming out the song of Rudolph song while he cried himself to sleep.


There you have it folks. I would like to apologize for not updating this because I have been trying to watch the sword Art Online series because I have forgot the ideas from this story. I will not take too long with the delay okay you guys. If you guys have questioned or concern, shoot me a review or PM on my Profile okay. Goodnight, y'all and happy holidays.

Please Review :)